2009 Debut
1:19 AM•Tuesday, October 5, 2010
2NE1's first song was "Lollipop", digitally released on March 27, 2009.The song was created for LG to promote their Cyon phone, and it was a joint release with Big Bang; the commercial/music video debuted on March 28, 2009. Although it was not a promoted single (as it was an advertisement song, there were problems with network chart eligibility), "Lollipop" proved to be a strong chart hit, going to #1 on various online charts and topping music television network M.Net's online chart for four weeks in a row.
On April 30, Yang Hyun Suk revealed that 2NE1's debut song would be a hip-hop/reggae song, and that it would be digitally released on May 6, 2009. Titled "Fire", the song was fully written and produced by 1TYM's Teddy Park. [unreliable source?] Teasers of the song were released on their official website at the beginning of May, with a 20-second clip released on May 1.
"Fire" was released as planned on May 6, with two versions of the music video — a "space" version and a "street" version — released the same day. The videos received over one million views in a day. The group's first performance of the song was on May 17, 2009, on SBS's Inkigayo, beginning the group's activities.
Both the song and the group became popular online, with the song topping M.Net's online chart and the group's name becoming a top search term. The group was also rewarded with three Cyworld Digital Music Awards, with both "Lollipop" and "Fire" winning "Song of the Month" awards and the group winning "Rookie of the Month" for May 2009.They received their first Mutizen award during their fourth stage performance in SBS Inkigayo (Popular Song) on June 14, 2009. They received their second Mutizen award on SBS Inkigayo on June 21, 2009. Along with their awards successes, 2NE1 signed a deal with Fila to become the new models for their commercial campaign 2 days after 2NE1's Mutizen win.
"I Don't Care" was released as the second single on July 1, 2009, with promotions starting in early July. YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun Suk stated at the time that the song would demonstrate a softer, more feminine image.
An unplugged "reggae" version of the song was performed on SBS's Inki Gayo music show, signaling the end of promotions for the song.However, due to the remix's popularity, it was released to digital outlets on September 3, 2009.
Along with three other groups representing Korea, 2NE1 performed in the 6th Asia Song Festival in September 2009, where they received the 2009's "Asian Newcomer's Award
